Necticut



Sept. 7 1926. 1,598,677

G. w. DONNING ET AL THERMOSTATIC DEVIC E Filed April 18-, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 7 1926.

G. W. DONNING ET AL THERMOSTATIC DEVICE Filed April 18, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 In eke/$60 76. G. 807272 67%9' and I. :77 507222 192g,

Sept. 7 1926. 1,598,677

G. W. DONNING ET AL THERMOSTATI C DEVICE Filed April 18, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Sept. 1926.

UNITED STATES 1,598,67? PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE w. DONNING AND DAVE ALEXANDER DONNING, OI BBIDGIPOBT, 00x- NIC'IICUT.

.rmlrosurrc nkvroa.

Application fled we 10. um. Serial lie. 505,500.

This invention relates to thermostatic devices. The primary object of the invention is to provide a thermostatic device, utihzable in a varietyof situations, of very simple construction, but with a marked degree of efliciency. 1

A further object of the invention is to provide a thermostatic device, for use in connection with the internal-combustion motors and the like, whereby certain devices associated with the motor may be operated in accordance with the thermal conditions of that motor.

With these and other objects in view, the

invention resides in the structure herein dismotor, having a channel or water jacket for the passage of a cooling fluid; Fig. 2 is a view in plan of the same; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail view, partly in section, of a portion of the device embodying a valve-operating mechanism;

Fi 4 is a fragmentary detail view in perspective of an air feeding mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a detail view in vertical section of a fuel valve;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail view in side elevation of a portion of the device shown in Fi 3;

Fig. 7 is a detail view in top plan of an electric switch and operating mechanism;

Fig.v 8 is a similar view of a thermostatic coil and shaft;

Fig. 9 is a view in perspective of a portion of the device;

Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are detail views in side elevation of certain elements of the device; Fig. 13 is a' view in vertical transverse section of a modified form of structure, showing a somewhat different type of thermostatic device mounted, in this instance,

varying on the head of a motor and in proximity to the firing chambers thereof,

Fig. 14 is a similar view of another type of thermostatic device; and

Fig. 15 is a similar view of a still different type of thermostatic device mounted on a motor.

Referring to these drawings, and to Figs. 1 to 7 thereof, the reference-character 1 designates the upper portion or head of anv internal-combustion motor, of any appropriate type, having the usual water acket or channel 2 for the passage of water or the like-constituting a component of the motor-cooling stem.

Mounted in t e head, in this instance, or any other preferred portion of the motor where the cooling fluid or temperature of the motor may be effective thereon, is our improved thermostatic device 3. This is adapted rimaril to be influenced by thermal con itions o the cooling fluid 4 in the jacket as the fluid, itself, may be influenced by thermal conditions of the motor.

The thermostatic device 3, in this particular embodiment, preferably comprises a housing 5 of any appropriate design and dimensions, and which is to be secured to the motor in any desired or required manner. nal chamber 6 in which is disposed an'element 7 of thermostatic material and shown,

in this instance,in the form of a coil, one

end of which is secured to a shaft or arbor 8 which extends throu h the housing. Adjacent one end of this s aft is a short arm 9, carrying a set-screw 10, and adapted to engage lugs 11 and 11 outstanding from the side of the housing and serving to limit rotary movement of the shaft in one direction as the same is actuated by the coil under thermal conditions which influence it.

The thermostat-coil 3 has its outer end attached to a threaded or screw member 6 turning therein and in a bearing 6 at the side of the housing and carrying a head 6 provided with graduations or temperatureindicating markings 6 with which cooperates a pointer 6 outstanding from the housmg.

This member 6 constitutes an adjusting or tensioning device by which the thermostat may be set for action at any predetermined degree of temperature. The screw-member ill) 6 carries in this instance. two adjustable nuts 6 and 6, one of which (6') is within the housing and stationary on the member 6 and engageable with either the bearing 6 or a lug 6" on the inside of the housing. By these means, rotary movement of the screwmcmber in each direction of its rotation is limited and the adjustment of the coil within the indication on the screwhead 6' is maintaincd. The nut 6 outside of the housing, functions to lock .the screw-member at any particular setting. By adjusting the screwmembcr in one direction, the coil is set to act late, and if adjusted in the opposite direction, it acts early.

On the end of the shaft 8 is a lever or actuator 12, to which is connected an arm 13 which, in turn, may be connected to any of a plurality of operable parts of sundry types of structures, such, for example, as port-closing valves 14, 14 of a vaporizerfuelizer 15, shown in Figs. 3 and 6, and more fully disclosed in the co-pending application of George W. Donning, filed April 18, 1923, Serial No. 554,684; or in connection with a valve 16 for controlling a device 17 adapted to supply air to a carburetor 18, as shown in Fig. 4, and likewise disclosed in the aforementioned Donning application; or in connection with a fuel-controlling valve 19 working in a fuel-nozzle 20, as shown in Fig. 5, of a carburetor (not therein shown) or in connection with an electric switch 21, as shown in Fig. 6, and wherein the member 12 may be the actuator 12 of Fig. 1 but constituting a part of the switch.

The bottom or lower portion of the housing is provided with an opening 22, preferably rectangular, and through this a portion of the coil 7 extends so as to occupy a position within the effective zone of the cooling-fluid 4 of the water jacket 2. Inasmuch as it is not altogether desirable to have the coil in directcontact with the cooling-fluid, the same is, in this embodiment, separated therefrom by an instrumentality, shown in this instance as a sheath- 23, secured to or forming an integral part of the lower portion of the casing 5. As shown in Fig. 1, the sheath is arc-shaped to correspond to the general curve of the coil. It may be of any appropriate material, pro. vided such material is a good heat conductor. It will be understood that the sheath normally occupies a position in the coolingfluid and, taking the temperature thereof, transmits the thermal conditions of the fluid to the coil which, acting under theinfluence thereof, effects a rotatory motion of the shaft 8 to actuate the lever 12 and this, in turn, operates the connecting-arm 13 to cause a functioning of any of the instrumentalities hereinab'ove referred to as well as others)1 actuatable thereby. t this point, it s ould be stated that instead of the connection to these instrumentalities being through the actuator 12 and connecting-arm 13, the shaft or actuator may be directl connected to such instrumentalities to e feet a more immediate action thereof.

In practical use, this type of thermostat has been found to be particularly efficient for automatically controlling sundry devices and instrumentalities employed in connection with automobiles, for operating valves in carburetors, in fuelizers, indicators, signals, etc.

In Fig. 14, we have shown a somewhat dif-- ferent form of thermostatic device which is. however,-therein illustrated, as in the first embodiment, as being mounted upon a portion of a motor 1 and in a position to be influenced by the fluid of the motor-cooling system passing through the channel 2 in proximity, as usual to the firin chambers 24 of the motor. In this embo iment, the thermostatic device includes a casing 25, preferably and as shown, arc-shaped, which is secure and with an interposed gasket 27 to prevent leakage of the cooling-fluid. In this embodiment, as in the one first described, there is an arc-shaped sheath 28 which is secured to the flanges 29 of the casing 25. Within a chamber 30 formed by the areshaped casing 25 thermostatic coil 31 the inner end of which is secured to a sha 't or arbor 32, while its outer end is connected to a slide-plate 33 which seals a slot 25 in the top of the easing 25 in which a bolt 34 works, the bolt being secured to the slide-plate and carr ing on its outer end a wing-nut 35. T e function of the nut is to lock the plate in any of a plurality of adjustable positions, which positions may be those indicated by graduations or markings 36 with which a pointer 37 carried by the nut 34 is adapted to engage. The graduations or markings indicate particular temperature degrees "at Which an initial start, say, is to be made.

The action and function of the thermostatic device of this second embodiment are substantially the same as those of the firstdescribed embodiment.

In Fig. 13 we have disclosed a somewhat different type of structure: In this instance, the water jacket 38 is provided'with an aperture 39 into which a t readed bushing 40 is projected, this being adapted to secure the thermostatic device 41 to the motor 1; there being a gasket 42 interposed between the upper surface of the jacket and the bottom of the thermostat housing. In order to maintain the thermostat rigidly on themotor, a set-screw 43 is t readed through a flange 44 of the casing and into the motor-head. In this instance, the ther} mostat 41 includes a fluid chamber 45 communicating with the channel 38 and proand the sheath 28 is a as by tap-screws 26, to the motor,

vided in its upper portion with an outlet or 46. The thermostat also inclu es a second chamber 47 in which is housed a thermostatic coil 48 which is secured at its inner end to a shaft 49 and at its outer end to-a fastening device 50. In order to limit the extent of lotat'rve movement of the shaft, 8. stop 51 is secured to the shaft and abuts against a lug 52 on the thermostat casing. In this construction, the cooling-fluid from the motor passes into the chamber and imparts its thermal condition to the partition 53 which divides the casing into the chambers 45 and 47. Thereby, the thermostatic coil 48 is affected, and this produces rotative movement of the shaft 49.

In Fig. 15 a still further embodiment is disclosed: In this instance, the thermostatic device 54 includes a casing 55 provided with a fluid-channel 56 communicating with the channel 57 of the motor-cooling system. The channel 56 surrounds a chamber 58 in which a thermostatic coil 59 is disposed. One end of this coil is secured to a shaft or arbor 60, while the other end is secured to an adjusting member 61 which extends outside of the casing and is provided with a knurled head 62 having temperature graduations or markings 63 with which cooperates a pointer 64 outstanding from the side of the casing. In the top of the casing is a vent or opening 65 which, in this instance, is normally closed by a threaded member 66. It will be understood that the cooling-fluid in the motor is permitted to flow through the channel 56 of the thermostatic device and thereby influence the coil 59 to effect rotative motion of the shaft 60 and thereby actuate the parts connected thereto. As in the other embodiments herein disclosed, the threaded member 61 permits the required tensioning of the coil 59 to predetermine its action, as explained.

In the difi'erent embodiments herein disclosed, the thermostatic coil is water jacketed, so to speak; that is,,in the constructiofis disclosed in Figs. 1, 2, 9 and 14, the sheath 23, occupying a position in the cooling-fluid of the motor, separates that fluid from the coil; the fluid being jacketed about a portion of the coil. In the structure of Figs. 14 and 15, the jacket is formed in the casing about the coil.

From the foregoing description, it will be perceived that we have presented a thermostatic device, in various forms, which is well adapted for use wherever it is desired to control instrumentalities or mechanisms for variable thermal conditions. i

What we claim is:

1. A thermostatic device including a hous ing, a coil adjustably supported therein and constructed of a thermostatic material sensitive to' thermal conditions, the housing vent controlled, in this instanct:i by a screw adapted to spree the coil from a body of flui by whic the coil is to be influenced,

and an actuator inde endent of the housing connected with the coil and operable thereby.

2. A fluid-operated thermostatic device includin a housing, .a thermostatic element operatively mounted therein, a portion of the housing adapted to maintain said element in juxtaposition to but separated from a body of operating fluid, and means supported by the housing and in contact with the element for tensioning the same to vary its action.

3. A fluid-operated thermostatic device including a housin a thermostatic coil therein, a ortion of t e housing adapted to separate t e coil from a body of operating fluid surrounding said ortion, a coil-adjusting device extending tlirough the housing and connected to the coil, and means for locking the adjusting device in adjusted positions to the housing.

4. A fluid-operated thermostatic device including a housing, a thermostatic coil therein, a ortion of the housing adapted to separate t e coil from a body of operating fluid surrounding said ortion, a coil-adjusting device extending t rough the housing and connected to the coil, means for locking the adjusting device in adjusted positions to the housing, and means associated with the adjusting device for indicating the setting thereof. I

5. fluid-operating thermostatic device including a housing, a thermostatic coll therein, a portion of the housing adapted to separate the coil from a body of operating fluid surrounding said portion, a coil-adjusting device extending through the housing and connected to the coil, means for locking the adjusting device in adjusted positions to the housing, and means associated with the adjusting device exteriorly of the housing for indicating the setting thereof.

6. In combination, a support provided with a channel for an operating fluid, a thermostatic device associated therewith and including a housing partially set into the channel and a thermostatic coil within the housing, a portion of said housing mainchannel and a thermostatic coil within the housing, an actuator connected to and operable-by the coil, means for limiting the extent of movement of the actuator, and means for adjusting the coil to operate said actuialto ;i at a predetermined temperature of said 8. A structure of the kind described including a support provided With a channel for the heating of a cooling fluid, a thermostatic device associated with the support and including a housing, a thermostatic element within the housing and influenced by the fluid in the channel, an actuator connectedto the element, means for predetermining the movement of the actuator under the mfluence of the element, and adjusting means carried by the housing for regulating the element to move at a predetermined temperature of the fluid invthe channel.

9. A structure of the kind described in the element for denoting the temperature at which its initial movement shall be effected.

10. A structure. of the kind described including a support provided with a channel for the heating of a cooling fluid, a thermostatic device associated with the support and within the housing and influenced by the fluid in the channel, an actuator connec ted to the element, means for predetermining the movement of the actuator under the influence of the element, adjusting means carried by the housing for regulating the element to move at a predetermined temperature of the fluid in the channel, and means for locking the adjusting device in a pre determined position.

1.1. A thermostatic. device comprising a housing, a thermostatic coil disposed therein, a shaft connected to one end of the thermostatic coil to be operated thereby, an "adjusting device connected to the other end of the coil and extending through the housing to permit movement thereof externally of the housing, and means for locking said adjusting device in any of a plurality of adjusting positions. 7

12. A thermostatic device comprising a housing, a thermostatic coil disposed therein, a shaft connected to one end of the thermostatic coil to be operated thereby, an adjusting device connected to the other end of the coil and extending through the housing to permit movement thereof externall of the housing, means for locking said ad justing device in any of a plurality of ad'- justing sitions and an indicator associated w it the ad usting device for predeterinmlng the degree 0 adjustment of the e01 13. A thermostatic device including a housing provided with a opening in its lower portion, a thermosta ic coil supported in the housing and extending through said opening, a shaft journaled 1n the housing and connected to one end of the coil to be operated thereby, a stop on the shaft for limiting the extent of movement thereof in one direction, an actuator carried by the shaft and movable thereby, an ad'usting device connected to the other end 0 the coil and extendin through one wall of the housing to permit manipulation thereof externally of the'housing, and means carried the adjusting device and en ageable wit the housing for locking the evice in any of a plurality of adjustable positions, said adjusting device com rising a threaded member, a thumb m'em r graduated in degrees of temperature, and a ointer carried by the housing and disposed in relation to the thumb member.

14. A fluid-operated thermostatic device including a housing an element therein of thermostatic material, means associated with the housing and juxtaposed to the element for maintaining it separated from a body of including a housing, a thermostatic element operating flui means supported by the housing and'in contact with the element for tensioning the same to vary its action, and means for locking the tension device in a set position.

15. A fluid-operated thermostatic device including a housing, an element therein of thermostatic material, means associated with the housing and juxtaposed'to the element for maintaining it separated froma body of operatin fluid, means supported by the housing an in contactwith the element for tensioning the same 'tovar its action, and an indicator associated wit the tensioning means for denoting the degree of tension at which said element has been set by the tensioning means.

16. A thermostatic device, a thermostatic coil, a shaft connected to one end of the coil to be operated thereby, an adjustable device connecting with the opposite end of the coil means for limiting endwise movement of the adjustable device, and separate means for locking said device in one of a plurality of positions.

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures.

GEORGE W. DON NING. DAVID ALEXANDER DON N ING.

Ill 

